The Enterprise Rancheria is not seeking an "off-reservation" casino, Chairwoman Glenda Nelson tells Indian Country Today.

The tribe is headquartered in Butte County. Plans call for a casino in Yuba County, about 36 miles from the reservation.

“It’s not off reservation," Nelson noted. "Our Indian Health Service has always been there in Yuba County and when the BIA came out and put our (other) land in trust the noted that our people live in Yuba County all up and down the Feather River drainage.”

The tribe, however, has to go through the two-part determination process under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to acquire the gaming site. That requires approval from the both the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Gov. Jerry Brown (D).

That places the Enterprise Rancheria in a different category from nearby tribes that went through a less stringent process after they were restored to federal recognition. Included in that group is the United Auburn Indian Community and the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians, whose leaders oppose a competing casino.

“We’ve always fought for our sovereign rights, but we were never terminated. We had to go through the two part determination," Nelson told ICT. "My argument is that we should at least have the same rights as restored tribes, but not less.”

Brown hasn't said whether he will agree to the casino.

Get the Story:
Feinstein Opposes Rancherias’ Trust Land Approvals for Gaming (Indian Country Today 10/17)

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